Modular Pick-and-Place Spindle Bank for Independent Nozzle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing heads for pick-and-place machines are heavy, complex, and prone to failure if one spindle or nozzle malfunctions, lacking independent motion control for each spindle and requiring extensive engineering and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A modular spindle system with a theta gear engaging with a motor, allowing for independent motion control and easy attachment/detachment, featuring a spindle bank with mountable modules that can be swapped out, enabling flexible configuration and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple spindles and nozzle receivers are located on a dispensing head to reduce assembly time, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing head is divided into separate modular components: a base structure and interchangeable spindle assemblies. Each spindle assembly can be independently attached or detached, allowing the system to maintain multiple spindles for high productivity while reducing the complexity of the main dispensing head unit.
2Productivity
If a single dispensing head with multiple spindles is used to reduce assembly time, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the dispensing head into a base unit and interchangeable spindle modules. This segmentation ensures that a failure in one spindle assembly does not compromise the entire dispensing head, as individual modules can be independently replaced without affecting other spindles or the base structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional motor mounting is used for spindles, then manufacturing is simpler, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle assembly is segmented into a motor portion and a spindle portion that can be independently mounted. The motor is pre-mounted on the spindle assembly module, allowing for simplified manufacturing of individual components while enabling easy attachment and detachment of complete spindle modules at the dispensing head, improving operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A spindle for a pick-and-place machine includes a shaft including a length extending between a first end and a second end, the shaft including an outer body and a hollow interior, a nozzle tip disposed at the first end of the shaft, the nozzle tip configured to contact an electronic component for manipulation of the electronic component, and a theta gear disposed on the shaft, the theta gear configured to engage with a motor of a pick-and-place head. The spindle is configured to be removably attachable from the pick-and-place head. A dispensing head spindle module, spindle bank and assembly machine incorporating the spindle are disclosed.